We’ve been counting down the days to the opening of this year’s Art Basel, one of the biggest art fairs in the world. Running from Thursday, June 15, through Sunday, June 18, 2017, Art Basel will present 291 modern and contemporary art galleries from across the globe, representing over 4,000 artists. In preparation for this extra-long weekend, we’ve curated a travel guide to help you get the most out of your trip to Basel.
Where to Stay
Der Teufelhof Basel, Leonhardsgraben 49, 4051 Basel
Located in Basel’s Old Town, this hotel originally began as a theater. With two connected buildings, the Art Hotel and the more modern Gallery Hotel, Der Teufelhof Basel provides options for every traveler. We recommend staying in one of the eight rooms at its Art Hotel for an artistic environment to complement your visit to Art Basel. Each room is regularly redecorated by an artist to ensure a unique experience.
Hotel Basel, Münzgasse 12, CH-4001 Basel
Opened in 1975, Hotel Basel is located in the heart of Basel, just minutes away from landmarks like City Hall and the beautiful Rhine River. Its sleek, modern rooms offer both comfort and style.
Where to Eat
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl, Blumenrain 8, CH-4001 Basel
With three stars in the Michelin Guide, this elegant restaurant is among the best in the world. Enjoy French cuisine prepared by an award-winning chef, while admiring the view of the Rhine from this waterfront restaurant.
Schluesselzunft, Freie Strasse 25, CH-4001 Basel
Dine next to a medieval fireplace and get a taste of Switzerland’s rich history with a meal at Schlusslzunft, Basel’s oldest guild house. Their creative food presentations are basically works of art themselves!
Where to Drink
Cargo Bar, St. Johanns-Rheinweg 46, CH-4056 Basel
A concert venue, art space, and bar rolled into one; Cargo Bar should be at the top of your list for an exciting night out in Basel. They showcase the work of local, emerging artists, while their funky live music calendar ranges from Italian aria singers to reggae DJs.
Bar Rouge, Messeplatz 10, 4058 Basel
Get the best view of the city from this rooftop bar, 105 meters high in the sky. Plus, there’s a lounge and a nightclub, with events like Disco vs. Salsa Night every Friday. You can even take salsa dance classes or cocktail mixing workshops.
What to Do: Satellite Art Fairs
Design Miami, Hall 1 Süd, Messe Basel
If you’re interested architecture and design, you can’t miss Design Miami. Its 12th annual show, featuring the best of 20th and 21st-century design, will be the most diverse to date. It takes place on June 13 through June 18, 2017.
LISTE – Art Fair Basel, Burgweg 15, 4058 Basel
34 countries, 79 galleries, and over 140 artists will be represented at LISTE’s 22nd annual art fair, which will take place on June 12, through June 18, 2017. LISTE is known for presenting young galleries with emerging artists, so it’s a must-see if you want to stay a step ahead in the art world.
Photo Basel, Rebgasse 12-14, 4058 Basel
Founded in 2015, Photo Basel is the first and only international art fair dedicated to photography. This year, it opens to the public on June 14, 2017, and runs until June 18, 2017, from 11 am to 8 pm.
SCOPE Art Show, 34 Webergasse, 4058 Basel
Just three blocks from Art Basel, SCOPE Art Show will present 70 international galleries for its 11th annual art fair. It opens to the public on June 13, 2017, and ends on June 18, 2017. Stop by between 11 am and 8 pm to view the contemporary art.
VOLTA13, Viaduktstrasse 10, CH-4051 Basel
Visit VOLTA’s “Lucky 13” edition of their international art fair, which runs from June 12, 2017, through June 17, 2017. Each gallery exhibited will showcase only one or two artists, making this a great way to get to know new artists.
top photo // courtesy of Art Basel
